Huawei’s Mate X folding smartphone could finally launch next month

First revealed during MWC 2019 back in February, Huawei’s Mate X folding smartphone has been the subject of delays and rumored tweaks, which is understandable when you consider the issues that Samsung has faced with its Galaxy Fold. While an exact date has yet to be announced, it seems that the Huawei’s Mate X could launch as soon as next month after having gone through TENAA certification back in July.

We spent a bit of time with Huawei reps and execs during IFA 2019 in Berlin last week, and it wouldn’t be much of an exaggeration to say that the Mate X folding smartphone was shown off quite a bit. Indeed, we took part in an impromptu photo session of Huawei’s first folding smartphone and had our grubby mitts all over the phone.

Compared to the Mate X that was briefly shown during MWC 2019, this latest version has a firmer touch to it the hinge stays at the angle you leave it. Folding and unfolding the Mate X feels sturdy without a hint of fragility, despite looking sleek and comfortable. Unlike the Galaxy Fold that kinda just looks like two phones joined together with an uneven gap between the displays once folded, the Mate X folds into an ergonomic design. It feels and looks like it has been created with a single aesthetic in mind.

That being said, it’s not perfect. The Mate X is still a first-generation design, and the rumored redesigned back panel made from carbon fiber will likely debut on the second-generation device along with the Kirin 990 5G processor and upgraded cameras.

As for when it will launch, the CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, Richard Yu, teased that the Mate X could launch during the next month. It’s almost certain that the Mate X will initially only go on sale in China, and maybe selected western markets later on depending on how the Mate X is received in Huawei’s home market.

In the meantime, all eyes are on Huawei’s Mate 30 launch event on September 19th, where we will finally learn how the company is going to work around the US ban and allow Mate 30 users to install Google apps on the handset.

He’s been an Android fan ever since owning an HTC Hero, with the Dell Streak being his first phablet. He currently carries a Huawei P30 Pro and a Huawei MediaPad M5 (8.4) in his pockets and thinks nothing of lugging a 17-inch laptop around in his backpack. When not immersed in the world of Android and gadgets, he’s an avid sports fan, and like all South Africans, he loves a good Braai (BBQ).